Results from the Special Election on November 7

On Tuesday, November 7, the residents of Sausalito voted for one City Councilmember for an unexpired term that runs through November 2018. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be considered elected to the City Council. The election night final results posted by the Marin County Registrar of Voters are as follows:

Susan Cleveland-Knowles: 953 votes

Bill Werner: 590 votes

Melissa Blaustein: 443 votes

The Marin County Elections Department will post updated results to its Election Results page on Wednesday, November 15. The updated results will include vote-by-mail ballots that were turned in or received on Election Day and any provisional ballots.

The official election results will be certified and the new Councilmember seated at the regular meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, December 12.

Police Department Hosts Annual Anchor-Out Outreach Event

On Tuesday, November 7, the Police Department hosted its annual Anchor-Out Outreach Event in Dunphy Park for Sausalito's anchor-out and homeless communities. Approximately forty people attended the event and received free medical care, clothing, and supplies. The relaxed atmosphere of the event also fostered open communication between officers and attendees.

Flu shots and health exams were provided by nursing students from the University of California, San Francisco. Marin Health and Human Services offered clothing, toiletries, and emergency supplies. The Marin Humane Society supplied dog leashes, pet food, and clothing for animals of all sorts. To top off the event, attendees were served a taco lunch donated by Sean Saylor of Saylor's Restaurant.

Planning Commission Seeks New Member

A rendering of the Valhalla project, approved by the Planning Commission in July 2017

The City Council is currently seeking one additional commissioner to fill a vacant seat on the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is responsible for reviewing applications for design review and land use entitlements, as set forth in planning and zoning laws of the City of Sausalito and the State of California.

Planning commissioners are interviewed and appointed by the City Council. Sausalito residents are encouraged to apply, especially persons with demonstrated experience and interest in architecture, landscape architecture, and community and economic development. The Planning Commission typically meets twice per month, sometimes in joint meetings with the Historic Landmarks Board.

With the City's ongoing update to the General Plan, the Planning Commission will serve an important role in maintaining the unique character of Sausalito. Recent projects reviewed by the Planning Commission include the Sausalito Ferry Landing, the Marin Theater at 101 Caledonia Street, the Valhalla building at 201 Bridgeway, and the Casa Madrona Hotel at 801 Bridgeway. The Planning Commission also advises the City Council on zoning ordinance amendments, historic preservation, and park improvements.

If you are interested in joining the Planning Commission, please do not delay in submitting your application. The Council is expected to schedule interviews promptly for this vacant seat.

If you have any questions about serving on the Planning Commission, please contact Community Development Director Danny Castro at (415) 289-4133 or dcastro@sausalito.gov.

VA Outlines Next Steps in Machine Shop Redevelopment Project

The Machine Shop building in the Marinship District

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking a partnership with a private-sector developer to redevelop the Machine Shop site at 25 Liberty Ship Way in Sausalito's Marinship District. As one of the first WWII-era buildings within the City of Sausalito and Marin County, the property is recognized by the California State Historic Preservation Office as a historic property and, in December 2016, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Machine Shop property was acquired by the VA in 2006.

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the redevelopment project was issued to potential developers in October 2017. The VA is finalizing the review of the RFQ submissions and will subsequently issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) by the end of December 2017.

The first step in the project will be to preserve and protect the exterior structure of the Machine Shop building while the VA continues with its long-term redevelopment plans. The building protection phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by May 2018.

Although owned by the VA, the Machine Shop is zoned within Sausalito. Any redevelopment plans subsequent to the protection phase will be subject to the City's development review process. Questions about the Machine Shop may be directed to Senior Planner Calvin Chan at (415) 289-4129 or cchan@sausalito.gov.

McKenna Ramiro Joins the Community Development Department

McKenna Ramiro at the Community Development counter in City Hall

The City of Sausalito welcomes new employee McKenna Ramiro. McKenna is the Permit Technician in the Community Development Department. As Permit Technician, McKenna provides information to the public on questions related to building, planning, and plan check review. She also routes and tracks construction plans to the appropriate divisions or departments of the City. Before taking on her new role, McKenna worked for the Community Development Department on an interim basis as the Administrative Aide.

Previously, McKenna was the Events Director for the Santa Rosa Gymnastics Center, responsible for camps, special events, lesson plans, staffing, budgeting, promotions, and enrollment. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Sonoma State University and is also a licensed personal trainer. In her spare time, McKenna enjoys snowboarding and coaching competitive gymnastics.

Sausy Balls Win Fall Bocce League Championship

Graham Driver, Colin Gill, and Adam Driver of Sausy Balls

The fall 2017 Sausalito Bocce League season wrapped up on Saturday, November 4, with an exciting Super Roll match between challenger Sausy Balls and defending champions Boccelism. Sausy Balls was victorious, with a final score of 21 to 11.

The thirty-two team, four-division league was comprised of 186 players from Sausalito and surrounding communities. Games were played every Thursday and Friday night for eight weeks during the months of September and October.

The Sausalito Bocce League began in 2004 with one court, seven teams, and two seasons per year. The league now has two courts, thirty-two teams and three seasons per year. The spring seasons is scheduled to start in March 2018. New players and teams are always welcome.

To inquire about registering a team for a Bocce League season, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (415) 289-4152 or rec@sausalito.gov. All teams must have at least two players present per game, a minimum team roster of four players, and a maximum of eight players. If you are an individual looking for a team to hook up with, you can ask to be added to a list of unaffiliated players.

Upcoming November 14 City Council Meeting

There will be a regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 14, with the open session beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 420 Litho Street. The following agenda snapshot provides highlights only. For more information, view the agenda and read the associated staff reports.

Consent Calendar: Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and non-controversial, require no discussion, are expected to have unanimous Council support, and may be enacted by the Council in one motion in the form listed below:

Updates from Boards and Commissions

Each week, on a rotating schedule, this section will provide highlights of the recent activities of one or more of the boards, commissions, and special committees representing the City of Sausalito. More information about City of Sausalito boards and commissions and City Council special committees may be found on the City of Sausalito website.

Planning Commission. The following actions were taken at the Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, November 8:

Continued a Tree Removal Permit request to remove an English oak tree located on private property at 310 Second Street, to a date uncertain. This item was continued due to the lack of a quorum of the Planning Commission.

Continued an Administrative Citation Hearing to consider information pertaining to an unauthorized tree alteration on private property located at 111 Prospect Avenue, to a date uncertain. This item was continued due to the lack of a quorum of the Planning Commission.

Recommended the City Council approve a zoning ordinance amendment to prohibit the commercial cultivation and sale of all marijuana, prohibit the delivery of marijuana, with the exception of delivery of medicinal cannabis or medicinal cannabis products to a qualified patient or person with an identification card, and prohibit the outdoor cultivation of all marijuana. The City Council will consider the ordinance at its November 28 meeting.

Recommended the City Council approve a zoning ordinance amendment to amend the Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations to bring the regulatory requirements into compliance with recent state law.

The next Planning Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The following items are scheduled:

Modifications to Design Review and Conditional Use Permits granted to allow a restaurant, two 45-seat theaters and office space at Marin Theater site at 101 Caledonia Street. The proposed modifications are exterior design revisions and a change of the theater use from two 45-seat theaters to one 90-seat theater.

Zoning Map and General Plan Land Use Designation Amendments to change the zoning and designation of the property at 44 Wolfback Ridge from single-family residential zoning (R-1-20) to open space (OS) zoning and land use designation.

View claim from the property at 46 Santa Rosa Avenue of trees located on private property at 125 Bulkley Avenue.

All Planning Commission meetings are live streamed and video recorded. If you have any questions about the Planning Commission or an item under consideration, please contact the Community Development Department (CDD) at (415) 289-4128. The CDD public counter in City Hall is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

General Plan Advisory Committee. The next General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The main topic of the meeting is a review of existing environmental conditions and regulations in Sausalito. Reports will cover a broad range of topics, including air quality, biological resources, cultural/historic resources, geology/seismicity, greenhouse gas emissions, hazards/hazardous materials, hydrology/water quality, noise, public services and recreation, schools, and utilities/service systems.

The existing conditions reports provide the technical background necessary to prepare the General Plan Update and associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and will serve as a critical resource for the City in future policy discussions. The meeting will also include an update on the progress of work on the General Plan Update and a presentation on the highlights and key topics that came out of the nine public engagement activities that were held in the last three months. GPAC meetings are open to the public and time is available for public comment.

News from City Departments

Public Works. Construction work is scheduled for two infrastructure projects during the week of November 13, one involving gas lines at the south end of Sausalito, the other a roadway repair on Harrison Street.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will be upgrading a portion of the natural gas distribution system that serves homes on Alexander Avenue, Edwards Avenue, and South Street. Construction will begin the week of November 13 and continue until late December. The work will affect traffic, with lane closures and implementation of traffic control. Traffic flaggers will help direct traffic through the construction area. Please use caution whether driving, walking, or bicycling in the vicinity of the work.

W.K. McLellen, a contractor for PG&E, plans to complete its roadway repairs on Harrison Avenue on Tuesday, November 14. The work was originally scheduled for November 8, but postponed due to inclement weather. Until the repairs are finished, please watch your step when walking in the area. Harrison Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Bulkley Avenue and (approximately) 190 Harrison on November 14 to allow the final work to take place.

Rain and other factors may change project schedules, so keep an eye on Currents for updates. Any questions about infrastructure projects in Sausalito may be directed to Andrew Davidson, City of Sausalito Senior Engineer, at adavidson@sausalito.gov or (415) 289-4180.

Police. The Sausalito Police Department will be hosting a waterfront community meeting from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15. The meeting is being presented in conjunction with the Marin County Sheriff's Office, the Richardson Bay Regional Agency, and Marin County Health and Human Services, and will be held at Southern Marin Fire Protection District Station One at 333 Johnson Street in Sausalito.

The purpose of the meeting is to inform the waterfront community of a debris collection event taking place on Richardson Bay on Tuesday, November 21. The event has the following goals:

Encourage mariners to remove debris from their anchored vessels before winter, so as to help prevent debris and hazardous items from falling into the Bay during storms

Assist mariners in making their vessels compliant with City of Sausalito and Richardson Bay Regional Agency nuisance/debris ordinances

Contact individuals from the waterfront and offer, for those who are interested, services which may help them to obtain alternative housing

Any questions about the waterfront community meeting or the debris collection event may be directed to Lieutenant Bill Fraass at (415) 289-4171 or bfraass@sausalito.gov.

Library. The 5th Annual Sausalito Village Art Exhibit will be on display in the Sausalito Library during regular Library hours from November 5 through December 16. The exhibit highlights the work of Sausalito Village artists and authors, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs. Sausalito Village is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the ability of its members to live independently and remain active in our community as they age.

If you are interested in exhibiting your artwork at the Library, please review the Library's Art Exhibition Policy and fill out an Art Exhibit Application (see PDF version here). Please note that exhibit space is reserved for artists who live in Sausalito, work in Sausalito, or rent/own studio space in Sausalito. Questions may be directed to Abbot Chambers at achambers@sausalito.gov

Southern Marin Fire. On November 2, 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Kidde issued a safety recall for Kidde's Plastic Handle Portable Fire Extinguishers. The recall involves 134 models of Kidde fire extinguishers manufactured between January 1, 1973, and August 15, 2017. According to Kidde United Technologies, fire extinguishers with plastic handles and plastic push-buttons can become clogged or require excessive force to discharge and can fail to activate during a fire emergency.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal urges the citizens of California to go to the CPSC website or the Kidde United Technologies website and click on "Product Safety Recall Notice" to determine if their portable fire extinguisher model is listed for recall. The websites will provide additional information on how to replace a portable fire extinguisher that is affected by this recall.

Information can also be obtained by contacting Kidde toll-free at (855) 271-0773 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST Saturday and Sunday.

Things Happening in Our Community

Turn Your Radio On. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Sausalito's Marinship shipyard, the Sausalito Historical Society and the Sausalito Woman's Club will present a live reenactment of excerpts from a 1942 radio program about Marinship that was originally broadcast from the clubhouse of the Woman's Club. This special event will take place on Friday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m. inside the Sausalito Library. The program will feature a simulated live broadcast, enactments of interviews with workers at the shipyard, and song and dance entertainment. Following the show, the Sausalito Historical Society invites you to the opening of a new exhibit, The People of Marinship — Who They Were, Where They Came From, What They Did, and How They Did It. Marinship built 93 Liberty ships and tankers for the war effort between 1942 and 1945.

Beautification Day. Sausalito Beautiful will hold the fourth annual Beautification Day on Saturday, November 11. This year, the focus is on the Sausalito Post Office at 150 Harbor Drive in Sausalito. For Post Office Beautification Day, we will remove dry vegetation, spread mulch to prevent weeds, and introduce drought-tolerant plants. The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at noon. Register to participate by sending an email to volunteer@sausalitobeautiful.org with your name, email address, and street address. Please note that pre-registration is required; details will be forwarded nearer the date to all who register.

Caregiver Support Group. If you or someone you know is caring for a loved one with a dementia-related illness, consider joining the Caregiver Support Group in Southern Marin. The group meets on the second Saturday of each month. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, November 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Edgewater Room or Game Room on the lower level of Sausalito City Hall, 420 Litho Street. Led by professional, credentialed facilitators affiliated with the Alzheimer's Association of Northern California, the group offers caregivers of loved ones suffering with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or other cognitive impairments the ability to exchange information, learn about solutions to problems, talk through challenges and ways of coping, share feelings and frustrations, and learn about available resources. Participants and their situations are assured complete confidentiality. For additional information, email caregivermarin@gmail.com.

Marinship and Marin City: Celebrating 75 Years. Everyone is invited to be part of the Veteran's Day celebration in Marin City, presented by Performing Stars of Marin. Festivities on Saturday, November 11, will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a parade starting at the 100 block of Drake Avenue and ending at Rocky Graham Park. The celebration will continue in Rocky Graham Park with a children's performance, plane flyover, entertainment, food, and a ceremony honoring veterans. The Sausalito Historical Society is a community partner for this event. For more information, please contact Felecia Gaston at (415) 332-8316 or performingstars@sbcglobal.net.

Sausalito Village Speaker Series. Chloe Cooke of the Marin County Department of Aging and Adult Services will make a presentation on Tuesday, November 14 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the Edgewater Room of Sausalito City Hall. Aging and Adult Services provides a multi-disciplinary system of services and support for older adults and persons with disabilities to promote quality of life and independence. Funding comes from federal and state government and the County of Marin. All are welcome to attend this free event presented by Sausalito Village and Age Friendly Sausalito.

Met Opera Preview. Join Tom Wilhite on Tuesday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edgewater Room of City Hall for a preview of the upcoming Metropolitan Opera performance of The Exterminating Angel by Thomas Adès, including background information about the composer and the opera and a selection of audio and video clips from past performances. Tom's preview takes place on the Tuesday before the Saturday morning Live in HD simulcast from the Met. This is the fifth year of Metropolitan Opera previews sponsored by the Sausalito Library.

Waterfront Community Meeting. The Sausalito Police Department will be hosting a waterfront community meeting on Wednesday, November 15 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. The meeting is being presented in conjunction with the Marin County Sheriff's Office, the Richardson Bay Regional Agency, and Marin County Health and Human Services, and will be held at Southern Marin Fire Protection District Station One at 333 Johnson Street in Sausalito. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the waterfront community of a debris collection event taking place on Richardson Bay on Tuesday, November 21. Any questions about the waterfront community meeting or the debris collection event may be directed to Lieutenant Bill Fraass at (415) 289-4171 or bfraass@sausalito.gov.

Prevent a Hill Slide on Your Property. A hill slide on your property can destroy your home and your property value. But you can do something to help prevent that from happening! Be proactive and learn ways to reduce your chances of a slide. During a presentation at the San Rafael Community Center from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, you'll learn from experts about drainage, planting strategies, and other practical advice for preventing a hill slide. Guest speakers include Eric Dabanian from Miller Pacific Engineering, Sarah Phillips from Marin RCD, and the San Rafael Fire Department. The San Rafael Community Center Auditorium is located at 618 B Street in San Rafael. The registration fee is $10.

Sausalito Players. On Wednesday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m., Sausalito Players will present Ivan Menchell's play The Cemetery Club at the Sausalito Woman's Club, 120 Central Avenue. Admission is free and open to the public. The Cemetery Club is a poignant comedy about three Jewish widows who meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands' graves. This performance is directed by Jean Spaulding, with Brenda DeBruyn as stage manager and producer. The cast includes Marge MacLaury, Laurie Wright, Debbie Ford-Scriba, Jean Spaulding, and Eric Blomendale. Sausalito Players has successfully produced Reader's Theater for almost forty years. Actors read from the script while performing on stage. Light refreshments will be served. Carpooling is recommended. For more information, contact Sandra Macleod White at (415) 332-7060.

Couture Korea. Please join Asian Art Museum of San Francisco docent Doris Chun for a preview of Couture Korea, the first U.S. exhibition to consider Korean fashion as an expression of social and cultural values. This special Sausalito Library docent lecture will take place on Thursday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Couture Korea is a fascinating look at how fashion and clothing reflect the culture and artistic sensibilities of a country. The exhibit will be on display at the Asian Art Museum from November 3, 2017 to February 4, 2018. Docent lectures are sponsored by the Friends of the Sausalito Library.

Sausalito Writers' Circle. Looking for a supportive group to share your writing with? Ready to tackle that story, novel, or poem? Interested in providing feedback to others? Whether you're an aspiring writer, a seasoned veteran, or somewhere in between, come join us on Sunday, November 19 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Your host at this Sausalito Library program is Sausalito resident, published author, and experienced workshop facilitator, Cindy Knoebel. If interested in attending, please join our Meetup group and RSVP. The Writers' Circle typically meets twice per month.

Coloring & Doodling Party for Adults. Come relax and join the coloring party on Tuesday, November 21 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Edgewater Room of City Hall. We provide a stress-free atmosphere, soothing music, and delicious refreshments so you can unleash your imagination. The Sausalito Library provides all coloring supplies and bookmarks and buttons made from your artwork. Seating is limited for this free program. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Rebecca at rburgan@sausalito.gov or (415) 289-4100 x502.

Alliums: Onions, Garlic, and Leeks. Unravel the mysteries of growing garlic and onions! If you shop in a market, you may find one or two kinds of garlic. Onion varieties are frequently just as limited. But if you grow your own alliums, you open the door to new flavors, shapes, colors, and culinary uses of these savory vegetables. Attendees will learn best practices for growing these cool-season gems in your garden and how keep them for months. This program takes place on Thursday, November 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers and is sponsored by Sausalito Beautiful and the Sausalito Library. Presenter Jenine Stilson became UC Marin Master Gardener in 2014.

Breakfast with Santa. Santa's coming! He's making a special trip to the Sausalito Yacht Club on Saturday, December 2, to eat breakfast with you and your family. It will be a magical morning where kids make holiday crafts and visit with Santa, while elves prepare a delicious breakfast of pancakes and sausage. There are two seatings to choose from: the 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. seating sees Santa arrive, the 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. seating gets to see him return to the North Pole. The cost is $15 per person (free for children 2 and under). To register, please call (415) 289-4152. Toy donations will be accepted as part of the Marin Performing Stars Holiday Toy Drive. Any questions about Breakfast with Santa may be directed to Sausalito Parks and Recreation Supervisor Julie Myers at jmyers@sausalito.gov.

Moondrifter Reverie. Please join us in the City Hall Council Chambers on Thursday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. for a reading by Sausalito waterfront poet Keith Emmons, author of the new poetry collection Moondrifter Reverie. A cum laude graduate of Harvard College, Keith lived for ten years in the Waldo Point houseboat community in the hippie days of the 1970s. Through poetry, haiku and free verse, Moondrifter Reverie describes a freewheeling group of dissenters from the social mainstream, determined to live by their own collective philosophy of peace and personal freedom. Through mirth and tears, drumming, howling at the moon, and raising their children in "the natural way," the small community thrived until it ultimately succumbed to the antithetical values and raw hegemony of real estate developers. This program is presented by the Sausalito Public Library.

Right on the Edge. Shawnecee Schneider will make a presentation about her recent six-week voyage in search of the North Pacific Right Whale aboard the Deep Green Wilderness vessel Orion. The program will take place on Wednesday, December 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Spaulding Marine Center, 600 Gate 5 Road in Sausalito. Shawnecee will also screen her last film project with Deep Green Wilderness, The Unknown Sea: A Voyage on the Salish, a film that investigates the historical, political and ecological factors that went into the recognition of our newest inland sea.